Classics

The Discipline

Classical Studies examine ancient Greek and Roman cultures—their languages, literature, history, religion, art, and philosophy.

The major offers essential knowledge of philology, ancient history, archaeology, biblical studies, and the literary tradition of Western Europe, as well as traditional grounding in the Classics. Students acquire important foreign-language study skills that include careful reading, thoughtful writing, and persuasive speaking. Latin is the mother language not only of Italian, French, and Spanish, but in a real sense of English as well. Its study will especially enhance one's understanding of English vocabulary, grammar, and rhetorical structure.

Greek and Roman History. Classics has the responsibility for staffing and administering offerings in Greek and Roman history. Courses in these fields are offered under Classical Civilization, Classics, Greek, and Latin. Some of these courses are cross-listed with history, and several may count toward a history major. See the History section of the undergraduate catalog for details.

Classical Civilization. Classical Civilization courses presuppose no knowledge of the Greek or Latin languages and are open to all students. They are especially recommended for those who want to understand the ancient traditions underlying modern culture.

Objectives

Students who graduate with a BA in Classical Studies should, according to the following emphasis areas, be able to do the following:

• Classical Civilization Emphasis:
  1. Read either Latin or Greek prose and verse literature with a high degree of understanding. Facility is enhanced by completion of at least two senior-level courses in the language of the student's specialization.
  2. Understand the basic history of Greece from Mycenaean civilization through Alexander the Great and the basic history of Rome from the Kings through the decline of the Empire.
  3. Understand the principles and application of ancient rhetorical theory.
  4. Understand the historical development of significant trends in both Greek and Latin Literature, from Homer to Apuleius.
  5. Understand some of the breadth of classical studies by completing a variety of courses pertaining to various aspects of that field.


• Classics Emphasis:
  1. Read both Latin and Greek prose and verse literature with a high degree of understanding. Facility is enhanced by completion of at least two senior-level courses in both Latin and Greek texts.
  2. Understand the basic history of Greece from Mycenaean civilization through Alexander the Great and the basic history of Rome from the Kings through the decline of the Empire.
  3. Understand the principles and application of ancient rhetorical theory.
  4. Understand the historical development of significant trends in both Greek and Latin Literature, from Homer to Apuleius.
  5. Be able to articulate active understanding of either Greek or Latin grammar by completing a course in prose composition of one classical language.


• Greek Emphasis:
  1. Read classical Greek prose and verse literature with a high degree of understanding. Facility is enhanced by completion of elementary and intermediate levels and of at least four senior-level courses in the study of specific topics and authors.
  2. Understand the basic history of Greece from Mycenaean civilization through Alexander the Great.
  3. Understand the principles and application of ancient rhetorical theory, with specific reference to ancient Greek texts.
  4. Understand the historical development of significant trends in both Greek Literature, from Homer to the Second Sophistic.
  5. Understand some of the breadth of classical studies by completing a variety of courses pertaining to various aspects of that field.
  6. Be able to articulate active understanding of either Greek grammar by completing a course in prose composition of that classical language.


• Latin Emphasis:
  1. Read classical Latin prose and verse literature with a high degree of understanding. Facility is enhanced by completion of elementary and intermediate levels and of at least four senior-level courses in the study of specific topics and authors.
  2. Understand the basic history of Rome from the Regal Period through the Empire.
  3. Understand the principles and application of ancient rhetorical theory, with specific reference to ancient Latin texts.
  4. Understand the historical development of significant trends in Latin Literature, from Ennius to Apuleius.
  5. Understand some of the breadth of classical studies by completing a variety of courses pertaining to various aspects of that field.
  6. Be able to articulate an active understanding of Latin grammar by completing a course in prose composition of that classical language.

For requirements, see "Majors and Minors" below.

Career Opportunities

Majors in Classical Studies find employment in a variety of fields, including business, education, library science, tourism, and civil and foreign service. They are also excellent candidates for graduate work in other humanities-related disciplines and professional schools (law, business, and medicine).

Majors and Minors

• BA, Classical Studies—Classical Civilization emphasis
• BA, Classical Studies—Classics emphasis
• BA, Classical Studies—Greek emphasis
• BA, Classical Studies—Latin emphasis
• BA, Latin Teaching
• Minor, Classical Studies—Classical Civilization option
• Minor, Classical Studies—Classics option
• Minor, Classical Studies—Greek option
• Minor, Classical Studies—Latin option
• Minor, Latin Teaching

Classics Faculty

URL:  http://hccl.byu.edu/programs_classics.shtml
last modified:  10/10/06
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